I agree if TKB wasn't injured Ellis wouldn't have a look in. Everyone must realise this. He is a "we know what he has to offer" type of player (i.e. reliably average), as he has always been. He will never be the best player in his position in the world. I would argue that Aaron Smith is the best in the world in his position right now, and TJ and TKB have not reached their potential and both could be in future.

Come on networkn!! Everyone knows you're pro-Crusaders and anti-Chiefs. Nothing wrong with it, but it does cloud your judgement in respect of certain players you have to admit. e.g. you always bring up Cruden's goal kicking as to why he shouldn't be in the team. If you check he's actually better than BB % wise, yet you give BB a pass in respect of goal kicking because you don't dislike him.

They may be in the team but every time they have a bad game it's either "not that bad" or "not his fault, it's the forwards fault" (paraphrasing). If Aaron Cruden misses a kick the sky is falling. When Carter misses 2 or 3 like he did last night it doesn't get mentioned. .

I'm not worried about DC missing 2 or 3. But he used to kick 60m. Last night at 40m it barely cleared (there was a "slight" headwind). And he will be protected from the Bok beasts ... so he's still untested against man mountains and crunching gang tackles yet. Looks like that will remain the case till the knockout stages.

blair003: I agree if TKB wasn't injured Ellis wouldn't have a look in. Everyone must realise this. He is a "we know what he has to offer" type of player (i.e. reliably average), as he has always been. He will never be the best player in his position in the world. I would argue that Aaron Smith is the best in the world in his position right now, and TJ and TKB have not reached their potential and both could be in future.

Come on networkn!! Everyone knows you're pro-Crusaders and anti-Chiefs. Nothing wrong with it, but it does cloud your judgement in respect of certain players you have to admit. e.g. you always bring up Cruden's goal kicking as to why he shouldn't be in the team. If you check he's actually better than BB % wise, yet you give BB a pass in respect of goal kicking because you don't dislike him.

Never denied I am Pro Crusaders, do argue that it doesn't allow me to consider other players as better in some positions, and I have listed SOME of them already in a few posts. I thought of another few whilst watching the NZB game which I can list if you really want.

I have given my reasons for disliking the Chiefs currently, and people can argue that if they wish. BB allows coverage in more positions, and for my money Cruden can be in the AB's as my 4th choice 10. It's kinda moot this year anyways. For the record I don't dislike him, it's more a case of feeling there are better players for the #10 jersey presently. His goal kicking is one of my concerns with him. For the record, (check my recent posts), I have been fairly uncomplimentary about BB's kicking as well.

I never claimed EE was the best in his position, especially this year. I can't remember the last time Aaron Smiths name was mentioned without the words "best 9 in the world" by any commentator, and I 100% agree.

They may be in the team but every time they have a bad game it's either "not that bad" or "not his fault, it's the forwards fault" (paraphrasing). If Aaron Cruden misses a kick the sky is falling. When Carter misses 2 or 3 like he did last night it doesn't get mentioned. .

I'm not worried about DC missing 2 or 3. But he used to kick 60m. Last night at 40m it barely cleared (there was a "slight" headwind). And he will be protected from the Bok beasts ... so he's still untested against man mountains and crunching gang tackles yet. Looks like that will remain the case till the knockout stages.

Yah I found the distance thing quite curious. Where he used to be incredibly accurate from both feet, now it's only his left that is seriously good, his right hand side kicking is more concerning.

joker97: I'm not worried about DC missing 2 or 3. But he used to kick 60m. Last night at 40m it barely cleared (there was a "slight" headwind). And he will be protected from the Bok beasts ... so he's still untested against man mountains and crunching gang tackles yet. Looks like that will remain the case till the knockout stages.

Yah I found the distance thing quite curious. Where he used to be incredibly accurate from both feet, now it's only his left that is seriously good, his right hand side kicking is more concerning.

His body is pretty shot, as shown by the significant slip the physical aspects of his game. It's not a criticism of the guy, it's a fact. I'm not convinced he'll be the starting 10, on performance, in the World Cup knockout games. I'd be incredibly happy to be wrong, he's been great to watch over the years, it's just he hasn't played to that level for nearly 3 years now.

joker97: I'm not worried about DC missing 2 or 3. But he used to kick 60m. Last night at 40m it barely cleared (there was a "slight" headwind). And he will be protected from the Bok beasts ... so he's still untested against man mountains and crunching gang tackles yet. Looks like that will remain the case till the knockout stages.

Yah I found the distance thing quite curious. Where he used to be incredibly accurate from both feet, now it's only his left that is seriously good, his right hand side kicking is more concerning.

His body is pretty shot, as shown by the significant slip the physical aspects of his game. It's not a criticism of the guy, it's a fact. I'm not convinced he'll be the starting 10, on performance, in the World Cup knockout games. I'd be incredibly happy to be wrong, he's been great to watch over the years, it's just he hasn't played to that level for nearly 3 years now.

Wow what a game between the Springboks and the Wallabies. Nail biting stuff. Didn't have a dog in the fight.

I am little concerned about how good both teams looked in some aspects. Handre Pollard looks pretty lethal @ 10 and Nick Phipps looks SO quick as #9 for Wallabies.

Skelton is a liability for the Wallabies, I hope they play him every match and I hope the AB's target him all match long.

Unfortunate to see Victor Matfield injured, and one of the Wallabies had a couple of his team mates carrying him with what looked like a very serious injury. Cooper is showing SOME of his old form, though his kicking is still pretty average and I'd bet he would be fragile under pressure by the AB's.

All these confident talk about AB superiority, really, that was last year. This year they haven't clashed with a side in anger, and we don't know anything about the Northern Hemisphere - whether they got better, stayed the same, or became worse than last year. Chances are it's the former 2 ....